Cebu mining firm spends P18.4 M for community dev't

By Hazel F. Gloria

CEBU CITY, June 26 (PIA) --- About P18.4 million of livelihood projects, infrastructure assistance, and educational and medical programs were spent by Carmen Copper Corporation (CCC) last year benefiting a number of mining communities in Toledo City, Cebu under their social development and management program (SDMP). 

Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) 7 Regional Director Loreto Alburo said government recognizes that development of the mining community that hosts the mining project as well as surrounding areas is a responsibility shared by the mining contractor and government. 

He added that this responsibility starts from the exploration stage through the development and construction of mine, to production, and finally, mine closure. 

“SDMP shall be prepared by the company in partnership with the host and neighboring communities,” he said. 

According to Alburo, the mining company shall annually allot a minimum of one point five percent of the direct mining and milling costs for the development of the community; and mining technology and geosciences. 

Of this amount, 90 percent shall be apportioned for the implementation of SDMP and the remaining 10 percent goes to the development of mining technology and geosciences, he added.

In 2010, the CCC disbursed around P3.373 million for SDMP which increased by over 500 percent in 2011. 

Meanwhile, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 7 Regional Executive Director Dr. Isabelo Montejo added that SDMP shall be utilized to implement all plans, projects, and activities of the company towards the sustained improvement in the living standards of the host and neighboring communities. 

“By creating responsible, self-reliant, and resource-based communities capable of developing, implementing, and managing community development programs, projects, and activities in a manner consistent with people empowerment,” he said.(FCR/HFG-PIA 7/DENR 7)